Investment Q&A

Q: In this world of exceptionally controlled markets (stocks, bonds, precious metals..) it is a constant challenge to separate the propaganda shaft from the wheat reality.
So for those who consider that Macro awareness is still worth spending time on (I do!), I would like to suggest 2 sites (American unfortunately, as I have yet to find a Canadian blogger.. suggestions welcomed) that do a a decent job talking about it: Fact set Insight already mentioned who have expanded their posts lately and Sober look.
I like also Doug Short but it is much more technical and impose much more attention.
On the geopolitical front which may become the elephant in the room,I have yet to find one site or one blog so I am following many sites, also suggestions welcome.
On the economic front I like Investing.com which have a very neat calendar of daily world economic events extremely well presented and very useful.
Publish at your own choice.
CDJ

Q: Hi Team,

I can't help but complement you on how you handled a recent question by Paul. To me it exemplifies your service and value to all retail investors. It's a "poster child" of how client-focused you are.

I just want to say thanks again so much for your great service. I don't think I (and many, many other members judging by their posts) have experienced such great service in any field, let alone in the investment realm. Feel free to publish if you wish.

Here is the question and your answer for your reference:

June 19, 2014 (asked by Paul)

Question: Good Day 5i Team,

I am a new investor who is starting late in the game, I am 49. I will be investing $700/month into my wife's TFSA and $700/month into my own TFSA. I have trading authority on hers. I have reviewed the Model Equity Portfolio and am fine taking risk in order to grow my investments over the next 15 years, not much time I understand but better late than never right?. My questions are:
1. Do I buy 1 stock at a time each month with the $700 ($1400 total between the 2 TFSA's) or should I wait and buy every 2 months so I have a larger dollar amount to make a larger purchase and also reduce my trading fee?
2. Is it better to spread the $700 ($1400 total) every month equally between 10 stocks and just purchase the same 10 monthly?
3. Do I limit myself to only 5 stocks in different sectors with one of the above scenarios?

Or do you suggest something else?

Thank you very much. I know that these questions might seem remedial but I would sure appreciate some guidance.

Paul

5i Research Answer:

We take all questions :)

In this situation, even with low trading fees, we would wait two months and buy a larger amount of one stock. Spreading the amount amongst many stocks would be quite expensive on a fee basis. It takes away from diversification in the short term, but because you will investing on a regular basis your diversification will improve each month (buy a new stock every two months). In addition, volatility will be your friend: if the market declines, even better for your situation.

You may want to start with a market ETF such as XIU in the short term for 'instant' diversification. Then, your portfolio will not be just 1 (2,3,4,5) stocks. Adding stocks after an initial ETF purchase may serve you well. We would go beyond 5 stocks, but there is no need for 20 under this scenario.

If you stay disciplines, 15 years is still a very good time frame. With regular investments and growth you may still do very well.

Q: Please provide a list of what you consider to be the best in class name in each of the following broad sectors: Financial,Consumer, Utility, Telecom, Industrial Energy and Tech. I intend to buy and hold and want good management and steady growth over at least the next 3-5 years. Thank you so much.

Q: Greetings Peter and Team,

Looks like CCL.B is off a bit these last couple of trading sessions. i only have a half weighting in my portfolio so was planning on topping ti up. Is there any news or other 'issues' that you see requires waiting?

Thanks again for all the great advice.

Q: Thanks for the report on BPF.UN. Is the distribution treated like dividend income income? (i.e. does it qualify for the dividend tax credit?

Q: I have been using your model portfolio as a template for my RRSP investments. I have a large cap portfolio run by an investment company - it already contains BNS, SLF and MG. Can you suggest some alternate stocks in these sectors that would be appropriate for the model portfolio? Thanks!

Q: Based on the price appreciation of Amaya this month the Model Portfolio weighting has likely gone from 5-6% to 10-11%, unless there's been a reallocation, as there was in May. I get the philosophy of not wanting a position to get too large in a portfolio but surely this idea might be counterbalanced sometimes by the idea of letting your profits run (and not adding to your losers) particularly on a stock that has such a great promise. If profits were taken on AYA on the way up, at what point was the decision made to do so, and what was the rationale behind it? Thanks, J.

Q: Hi, For Boyd Income Group (BYD.un) should recent insider selling by CEO and another director be of concern? Thanks

Q: Do you have any thoughts on Orca Gold Inc.(ORG). They have a huge land holding with the old Red Back Mining Team running things?

Q: Highliner (HLF) had a 13% increase this past week. Are there takeover rumours or anything else going on at the company to explain this?

Q: I recently bought VIG in CDN dollars as I was uncertain if I could do it in USD. Before proceeding with any additional US Stock/ETF purchases ,I would like to better understand what approach you would recommend . Firstly, I am new with managing my own investments, I recognize the exchange rate will be a factor and then I am wondering when I do sell in the future, do I have a choice in which currency to receive the funds in? Thank you for your assistance.Elizabeth

Q: Please advise your current opinion on GXI, thank you.

Q: Hi guy,s..Glad to support your ride, Peter..Good luck!Best etf,s include BCE in them. Thanks,Cliff

Q: LVN on tsx, Levon Resources, what do you think of them, do they have enough cash to survive?

Q: Dear Peter and team,
I am considering selling my shares in Covidien (cov) (1% of portfolio) because of the recent jump due to the Medtronic takeover. I don't think Medtronic has as good of a track record or management as Covidien. Would you recommend holding onto Covidien at this time or selling?

Other healthcare stocks in my portfolio are Gilead (gild) (2.5%), Baxter (bax) (1.25%), JNJ (1.5%) and Novartis (nvn) (1.5%).

If I sell Covidien and stay in the healthcare sector, I am considering McKesson (mck), WellPoint (wlp), CVS Caremark (cvs), Amgen (amgn), Cerner (cern), Catamaran (cct) or Concordia (cxr). And possibly 2 others that I don't know much about Cipher Pharma (?) and Biosyent (rx). Would you mind giving me your opinion on the above stocks or at least indicate which you feel would be the top 3.

If you think that there is a better healthcare stock than those listed above I would love to hear about it.

Thank you very much.

Brian

Q: safety??
the market seems to go higher and many feel a significant correction is coming. what say you ??
Which stocks might fair best in a serious correction or and bull market.A short list with a reason would be very helpful.
thanks
Yossi

Q: QBR.B

Just curious about your thoughts on Quebecor.

Thanks always for the awesome service.
cheers

Q: Hi Team
Could you comment on the interest rate sensitivity of VSN.PR.A
on the share price of this issue, i purchases it around 23.50 awhile ago.Would this issue be considered to be as volatile as the Perpetual Preferred shares that some company's issue, and finally would you recommend it.
Thanks Gordon

Q: Hello Peter and team,
Hello Peter and Team,
Your reports have certainly been of good value to me lately but on another note. Finally there is some news on FLY.
FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd.TSXV:FLY, this company has just sealed a deal with Sierra Nevada Corporation ("SNC"). What are you thoughts regarding this one? Should I let it fly, hit it or just let it fly around?
Best regards,
Heather

Q: I have held on to Cominar REIT and Northland Power for a year and a half and 2 years respectively on the theory that there is no point in realizing my loss and putting the money to work elsewhere unless the outlook for CUF and NPI is dim. Is my reasoning right, and if it is, is the outlook OK for those two? CUF, sadly is in a TFSA. I'm trying to wrap my head around "selling your losers" versus needlessly trading. Thank you so much for this service. I am really enjoying the education I am receiving thanks to you.